Week 80

Woaaaahhh.. What a sweeet week it was. Man alive.. I'm still SO happy with the way last week turned out.

 

First things first.. Do you all know who Gladyis Knight is?? Well...

She came to the Stake Center in Des Moines Iowa and brought down the house with her, her husband, and her choir.. It was incredible!! Man.. I don't even know what to say about it to do it justice. The whole stake center was FULL of people.. It was awesome. She sang for us and it was one of the most spiritually riveting experiences that i've ever had in my life. We had investigators there, and they literally walked out and pretty much asked us what day they could be baptized. HAHA!! Talk about powerful. They bore the strongest, boldest, and most sincere testimonies of the True Church i've ever heard.. They were SO funny too.. I loved it.

I'm not gonna lie tho... It was pretty wierd to see a stake center from our Church break out into what seemed to be a Southern Baptist Choir. It was so cool tho.. And SO many hearts were touched. Amazing.

 

We brought the Gulley Family to the Fireside with Gladyis Knight. It was great. They have been meeting with missionaries for what seems to be centuries, and now is there time to finally join the church. They have been strong members of the community of Christ church, and they have told there congregation that they will no longer be attending. They have recieved SO many witnesses of the gospel this last 2 months.. And the Fireside topped it off. So sweeeet!! :) Haha! Love it.. They are so determined to get there life in order, and to be baptized. December 15th is the day we picked together! :)

 

Well.. We are still teaching the Briggs! The are some of the funnest people to be friends with. Haha. I get the biggest kick out of them. Bro Briggs is a vietnam vet and he has seen things that people don't even have nightmare's about. Its crazy.. He's such a strong guy tho. He was baptized 12 years ago.. But he went inactive due to some unfortunate circumstances.. Since then he's married a lady from England.. And she is ready to be baptized. And he's going to baptize her! Its going to be a great day. :) Sis Briggs is a HUGE Coffee and Tea drinker. In england 3:00 Tea is a mandatory event. Haha! But this last week, she has given it up. She says that I feel as tho things that I love are being stripped away from me, but I know the thing which is most important will grow in ways that I could never imagine! SO powerful! :)

 

This last Sunday was crazy.. Haha we got a text on Saturday night as 6:30 saying " Elder Russell.. Can you spend 20 minutes speaking to us tomorrow in Sacrament meeting on the Importance of the Priesthood? Thanks!" Haha.. So that Sunday I played the music, passed the sacrament, and was the concluding speaker.. Haha nothing like serving is a tiny little Branch. I think thats why I love the church so much. We always make it work. Whatever we gotta do! :)

 

Bishop Shields! Thanks for the email and the advice! I appreciate it! I'm going to be going to school and hopefully that will keep me plenty busy. Haha thanks for your encouragement and I will definately take that to heart!

 

Momma! Thanks for everything.. I haven't got the winter stuff yet.. But i'm sure its comin soon! Thanks for doing that! I appreciate it!

 

G-Ma Russell! Thanks for the email! Its always great to hear from you!!

 

And my boy Kash Johnson. Your my hero man... Hah! I love you SO much. Thanks for the emails. It means the world. Keep tearin it up there in the real world. I'm gonna have my sister forward an email to you!

 

I love you all! Thanks for the love and support. I've got the greatest group of family and friends a guy could ask for..!

 

Love Elder Russell